It’s estimated we spend a third of our lives working, so who we work with – and for – must be on point. But it’s not always easy to know if your boss is right for you.
With the average Aussie spending 90,000 hours of their lifetime working, we need to make the time spent with our ‘work family’ count. Life is preciously short, after all.
Accompanied by the often-humorous dysfunctions and quirks, our other family is part of what makes us fit. But the trump card is the leader of the pack: our boss. They are the conduit, linchpin, fixer and leader. They are not your friend but your ally, advocate, and cheerleader. Boundaries, trust and respect are mandatory, and the rest – like any relationship – you work on.
Cliched or not, a boss can make or break jobs, careers and, yes, even impact our prized home life. So how do you know if your boss isn’t right for you? Here are five signs to look for:
At one time, they may have been perfect for you. As our career goes through the various stages of exploration, establishment, mid career, and late career, we require different management styles.
At exploration and establishment, a more hands-on, teaching and guidance style is ideal. At mid career, too much micromanaging stifles growth. Instead, look to a boss allowing scope, opportunities, and trust.
It might be time to cut the apron strings.
You’ve tried, but the connection isn’t there. It’s not that there is conflict, it’s just hard work to communicate. Even when you do, it seems you are on different planets. You over-prepare for conversations and are precariously careful about what you say for fear of misinterpretation.
You cannot be you. Communication doesn’t flow. Even for the superficiality of jokes, you are on different wavelengths. Spending more time working out how best to not offside your boss equates to less time doing your job.
It’s exhausting and draining, is not productive and takes a toll on your confidence and enjoyment.
Inspiration at work comes in many forms. You don’t have to identify with them, but you need to feel positive and energised from being with your boss. Even in those difficult, trying work situations, whether they provide ideas, solutions, mentoring, or simply instill confidence, you get something from being with them.
You might feel empowered and uplifted, even in subtle ways. Those brief chats and you felt lighter and calmer; is your boss’s energy and impact having a positive influence.
Don’t underestimate these mini-recharge moments. Inspiration isn’t about a daily cheer, it’s the ongoing sustainable belief we all need at work.
You put your hand up for promotions, development, and pay increases, and they don’t come your way. You have asked for feedback, acted upon it, and the progression still isn’t happening.
At your performance review, the scoring is out of sync with your expectations and your wins are not seen. Other, less-experienced colleagues are provided with opportunities, but not you.
We all need someone to believe in us. It’s time to move on before you stop believing in yourself.
The easy way out is to blame our boss. Too tough, unreasonable, micromanages, doesn’t manage. Whatever the reason, the excuses and complaints flow.
How many occasions have you left a job due to your boss? Perhaps it started well and then turned sour? Are you leaving more than 40 per cent of your roles due to ‘your boss’? It might be you.
We are all different. What works for you won’t necessarily work for others. The perceived relaxed nature of a colleague’s relationship with your boss may have been built on many shared experiences.
Trust is what you are ultimately seeking, but it must be earned and it can take time. When it is present though, work-life is good.
Originally published by www.au.finance.yahoo.com
As Founder and Managing Director at EST10, Roxanne has an all-encompassing role that includes building and growing the business, as well as actively recruiting and consulting.
After completing a Bachelor’s Degree at Monash University, Roxanne began her recruitment career with renowned recruiter Julia Ross. From there, Roxanne worked in HR and recruitment with a number of global players and boutique businesses throughout Australia, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong for over 20 years. She has been responsible for managing large teams and projects, implementing RPO models, managing and assisting businesses to an IPO and assisting companies in setting up their recruitment teams and processes.
Following completion of her MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management, Roxanne launched EST10 in July 2010. In doing so, she hoped to combine the flexibility and high touch service levels of boutique agencies with the structure and strategy afforded to larger firms. Roxanne believes in high-touch, high-care consulting and is always on the lookout for consultants that share this vision of recruitment.
